For our exhortation was not of deceit,
nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

(1611 KJV)

For our exhortation was not of deceite, nor
of vncleannesse, nor in guile:

(1568 Bishop’s Bible)

For our exhortation was not of deceit,
neither of vncleannes, neither in guile:

(1587 Geneva Bible)

For our exhortation was not by deceite,
nor by vncleannes, nor by guile.

Counterfeit Versions

(1881 RV) For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor
in guile:

(1901 ASV) For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor
in guile:

(CSB) For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent
to deceive.

(NIV) For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure
motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

(NASV) For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by
way of deceit;

(THE MESSAGE) God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to
be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not
after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that
battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of
error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.

(AMP) For our appeal [in preaching] does not [originate] from delusion
or error or impure purpose or motive, nor in fraud or deceit.

(ESV) For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any
attempt to deceive,

(CEV) We didn't have any hidden motives when we won you over, and we
didn't try to fool or trick anyone.

(NKJV) For our exhortation did not come from error or
uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

(HCSB) For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an
intent to deceive.

(NIRV) The appeal we make is based on truth. It comes from a pure heart.
We are not trying to trick you.

(RSV) For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is
it made with guile;

(NAB-Roman Catholic ) Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure
motives, nor did it work through deception.

(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) For the exhortation we give does not arise
from error or from uncleanness or with deceit,

Textus Receptus - Traditional Text

η

γαρ παρακλησις ημων
ουκ εκ πλανης ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας
ουτε εν δολω

Hort-Westcott - Critical Text

η γαρ παρακλησις ημων ουκ εκ

πλανης
ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας ουδε εν δολω

Corrupted Manuscripts

None

Affected Teaching

Here is a question of a word change in the English which gives the verse
a different meaning. The Greek word is “planę

s” which means “a wandering
away from the truth, a delusion, deceit, or error.” In this verse Paul was
stating that the exhortation he gave the Thessalonians was not from deceit.
Deceit is an intentional plan or attempt to deceive somebody or to trick
them. The Apostle Paul had faced many such false teachers who taught a false
gospel and deceived the people. Paul was stating that his Gospel was not
based upon deceit but upon truth. He had no desire to trick or defraud
anybody out of anything. The false teachers had attempted to gain a foothold
wherever they went for the purpose of making themselves wealthy and to
contradict the true gospel. They had no concern for the souls of the people
they were defrauding. On the other hand, Paul came to them in sincerity and
not in any form of deceit. The modern versions use the word “error” here but
it does not fit the context. Error can be an innocent mistake or
understanding but Paul faced the false teachers wherever he went and their
mode of operation was intentional deceit, not a mistaken understanding of
the gospel. A very big difference!